Page 101 of Cartel King

I peer in the mirror again as I hear the zipper open. It shouldn’t surprise me, but it does when she assembles the rifle in the dark. I recognize each sound it makes, and there’s no doubting from her speed she’s an expert.

She lies on her belly with the rifle propped in front of her on a tripod. She can’t shoot with it in that position, but it makes it easier for her when she’s ready to get up and fire through the back window. I hate knowing she’s in her element, but I don’t worry she’ll panic. I can just worry the normal amount I would if I were in this situation with my brother or nephews.

“Enrique, there’s somebody approaching. They don’t have their headlights on either.”

“I know,chiquita.I saw them.”

“How far are we from Luis’s?”

“About ten minutes.”

“How do you want me to handle this? They won’t expect me to be armed. Do I stop them now?”

“No, not yet. We’re almost to a vacant lot we can cut across. Once we’re there, then we’ll make our move. I don’t want anyone to see or hear that car crash into something.”

“Do you think there’s one or two men?”

“I’m really not sure.”

But I will fucking find out. To target Ellie is the same as targeting me. There’s a short list of people who’ve attempted it, and no one on it still breathes.

I spot the dip in the curb where I can enter the vacant lot. Thankfully, Ellie drives a sturdy SUV and not some subcompact that couldn’t handle the rutted dirt.

“Enrique?”

“Can you get a clean shot?”

I sense her movement because I can’t look back right now. There are some deep holes, and I need to avoid them, so she can keep her sights level.

“Yeah. Constantine, down.”

The dog shifts and puts his head between the two front seats, his nose nudging my elbow. I reach back to pet him, silently promising him all the treats he can eat for the next month.

“Do you want to talk to them?”

“Can you tell yet if there’s a passenger?” I slow down and allow our pursuers to draw a little closer.

“There is.”

“Leave him.”

“Roll down the window.”

There aren’t many SUVs with roll down rear windows, but Ellie’s is one of them. It makes me wonder…

“Yes, this is why I have the roll down window.”

“Psychic?”

“Maybe.” Her tone is lighter than I’d expect.

She adjusts her position, coming onto her knees. I take my chances and watch in the mirror as she lifts her rifle while the window lowers enough for her to stick the muzzle out. There’s no hesitation. I hear the windshield shatter, then the tire pop. The car careens to the right before coming to a stop.

“Rabbit.”

Whoever the passenger is thinks he can outrun a bullet.

“Kneecaps. He’s down, Enrique.”

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